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Discover the breadth of MMF’s research through our growing collection of publications, reports, and research – from our Digital Dollar series, to our latest Five Point-Plan for Responding to AI-Generated Music.

Every publication includes a free excerpt, allowing you to explore key insights and findings before diving deeper. To gain full access to our complete research library and unlock the full value of our work, we invite you to become a Standard, Pro or Company member and access every publication in its entirety.

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Essentials of Music Management

Written by the Music Managers Forum, The Essential Guide to Music Management is aimed at all levels of music manager, and takes the reader on a journey from grassroots to international success – offering clear practical advice on getting started, developing a viable management company, putting together a team, and building the partnerships that will enable you to navigate an ever-changing global business.

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Five-Point Plan for Responding to AI-Generated Music Uploads

In response to the growing issue of unsolicited AI-generated music being uploaded to artists’ profiles without consent, we have compiled this guidance to help prevent and address such activity.

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The Fan Data Guide

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

This MMF guide (updated from 2019) is designed to provide information and insights around the basics of how to capture, use and encourage a more pro-active approach to Fan Data.

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The Value of Music Managers

Calculating the value of managers in the UK music industry

This report provides an executive summary, followed by an introduction to the context of the work itself and the role of music managers, information about our methodology, detailed exploration of, and commentary about our findings and links to technical appendices.

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Managing Expectations

An Exploration Into the Changing Role and Value of the Music Manager

Our 2019 report ‘Managing Expectations’ is underpinned by a survey of more than 180 music managers as well as in-depth interviews conducted by Music Ally’s Eamonn Forde with managers representing acts including The 1975, Gorillaz, Mumford & Sons, Robbie Williams, J Hus, Little Simz, Nick Cave, The xx, Blue Lab Beats, Two Door Cinema Club and Bill Ryder-Jones.

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Managing Expectations

An Exploration Into the Changing Role and Value of the Music Manager: Producer & Songwriter Edition

In December 2021, we published the second part of our Managing Expectations series, focussing this time on producer and songwriter management.

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Managing Expectations

Management Deals Guide

In September 2024, we published the Management Deals Guide, exploring how managers are moving beyond traditional commission models (typically 20% of artist income) towards new commercial structures. The guide examines the pros, cons, and complexities of these evolving approaches.

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Managing Expectations

Workforce Edition

This report, part of the “Managing Expectations” series, dives deep into the experiences and challenges faced by music managers. It explores workforce demographics, the challenges and rewards of music management as a career, and offers insights and best practices for building and retaining a skilled workforce.

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The Fan Data Directory

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

The ‘MMF Fan Data Guide’ identifies the ten key categories of fan data that artists and managers should be aware of and have access to. This ‘MMF Data Directory’ lists some of the specific digital platforms where this data is being gathered and/or can be managed.

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The $ong Royalties Guide

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

‘The $ong Royalties Guide’ lifts the lid on the complex way in which songwriters’ repertoire is licensed to digital music services, and how inefficient payment systems are drastically reducing the royalties that creators receive.

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The $ong Royalties Manifesto

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

Find out more about the manifesto that shaped The $ong Royalties Guide.

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The Manager's Guide to AI

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

This guide explores how artificial intelligence is impacting on the music industry, helping managers navigate and understand the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, and offering guidance on how they might advise their clients.

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The Deals Guide

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

This guide helps artists and managers navigate the evolving music industry by explaining the different label and distribution deals available in the streaming era.

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The Deals Calculator

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

The Digital Deals Comparison Calculator has been developed as part of the MMF’s Dissecting The Digital Dollar project alongside the ‘Deals Guide’, in order to make it easier to visualise the pros and cons of different label and distributor deal types.

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The Transparency Guide

Dissecting the Digital Dollar Guides

‘The Transparency Guide’ identifies all the information and data artists and managers require from their business partners to fully understand and succeed in the streaming business.

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Dissecting the Digital Dollar

Executive Summary: Part One

‘Dissecting The Digital Dollar Part One’ was published in October 2015 and explains in one place how audio streaming services are licensed. It also includes a beginner’s guide to music copyright, recording and publishing contracts, and collective licensing, all of which impact on how the music industry’s digital deals are structured.

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